Madikeri: Companies directed to pay Rs 28 lakhs to girl who lost her parents in gas leak incident

Madikeri: The Kodagu District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has ordered an HP Gas Agency in Mangaluru and Mumbai-based SBI General Insurance Company Limited to jointly or separately pay a total compensation of Rs 28 lakh to a complainant for policy claims and mental anguish.

The complainant, Ms Lipika alias Aishwarya, lost her parents, H.K. Ramesh and N. Roopa, residents of Suntikoppa, in a gas leak accident. The couple were HP Gas customers.

On the night of October 4, 2023, while cooking, a gas leak caused a fire accident. Both H.K. Ramesh and N. Roopa sustained severe burns and succumbed to their injuries on October 8 and October 9, respectively, despite undergoing treatment in a hospital. But, no compensation was provided by the responsible entities for the losses caused by the fire.

Consequently, Lipika filed two complaints against the agencies with the Kodagu District Consumer Forum, seeking appropriate relief.

The forum deliberated on the arguments of both parties. Partially allowing the complaints, the forum directed Mangaluru HP Gas Agency and SBI General Insurance Company Limited to pay a total of Rs 28 lakh to the complainant for policy claims, mental anguish, and expenses, either jointly or separately.